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Fasting on Purnima

Hindus consider the full moon day, Purnima, sacred because it is a day over which Lord Vishnu presides. Some Hindus, health permitting, observe a fast on this day or take only light food at night.

A human being is composed of about 60% liquid and 40% solid. The Moon affects the sea by causing the tides to rise and fall. In the same way, the Moon also affects the liquid content in humans, which may result in a person becoming tense and irritable. The term ‘lunatic’ derives from ‘luna’, meaning ‘moon’ in Latin.

The great Sages and Rishis knew how to combat negative effects on human behaviour during full moon and new moon days. They found that light food on these days lowers the acidic content in the system, helping human beings retain mental balance.

By fasting or taking light food, the whole system is given a rest. Prayer helps prevent the emotions from running wild. When the system is at rest, there is also psychological rest, and the person feels physically and psychologically comfortable and is less prone to irritation and outbursts of temper.

Fasting creates remarkable endurance, a special feeling of empathy and a sense of equality between rich and poor. Occasional fasting is key to good health.

How to Observe a Full Moon Fast

On Purnima, many devotees do not consume white grains and observe a fast from sunrise, either without salt or without water, according to their capabilities and health, until the evening when the Moon is sighted.

For Moon times in your area in South Africa, visit http://www.saao.ac.za/public-info/sun-moon-stars/.

Some devotees offer milk and water to a plant while viewing the Moon. After performing this act, the devotee consumes solid food with salt.

Because Lord Vishnu rules Purnima day, the auspicious Shree Satya Narayana Vrata Puja is an appropriate puja to perform on this day.

The D.I.Y. Shree Satya Narayana Vrata Puja with Havan is available at http://dipika.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Satyanarayan-puja-DIY.pdf.

Maha-Mritunjaya Havan on the Full Moon

The Maha-Mritunjaya Havan is a very simple yet extremely powerful havan. It should preferably be performed on Purnima, when auspiciousness is at its maximum.

Prepare the Offering Mixture

1. Have a bath and wear clean clothes.

2. Prepare approximately one medium bowl of sweet rice.

3. Add approximately 200 g of black sesame (til) seeds.

4. Cut approximately one strand of kush grass into very small pieces and add it. If kush grass is unavailable, continue without it.

5. Add approximately 100 g of vegetable or butter ghee.

6. Mix all the ingredients together.

Prepare and Light the Havan

1. Place wood in the havan kund, which should already contain a little sand so that the ghee does not leak out.

2. Take a little Ganga water and sip it three times while chanting “Om Vishnu”.

3. Those seated for the havan are recommended to chant the auspicious Hanuman Chalisa.

4. Place camphor on the wood and light it.

5. Invite Lord Vishnu and the Devis and Devas by saying: “O Lord Vishnu, Sarva Devis and Devas, I ________ (your name) invite You all to this auspicious havan.”

Make the Havan Offerings

Begin the offerings by chanting the Mritunjaya mantra:

“Om trayam bakkam yajaa-mahe sugan-dhim pushti-vardhanam
urvaa-rooka-miva bandha-naam mrityor mooksheeya maamritaat Om” swaahaa

1. Offer the sweet rice after saying the second “Om” in the mantra and chanting “swaahaa”.

2. Repeat the offering 108 times.

3. When complete, ask Lord Vishnu and all the Devis and Devas for forgiveness for any mistakes committed during the havan.

4. Chant the Maha Mantra 21 times to allay any mistakes committed during the havan:

“Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare”

5. Request Lord Vishnu and the Devis and Devas to kindly return to Their abodes.

Requirements for the Havan

• One packet of havan wood
• 100 g ghee
• 200 g black til
• One small bowl of sweet rice
• One strand of kush grass
• Havan kund
• Two blocks of camphor
• A little sand for the havan kund
• Ganga water